Study Finds Most Drivers Who Text Lack True Multitasking Skills
A University of Utah study reveals that drivers who text behind the wheel typically overestimate their multitasking abilities, raising fresh concerns about road safety.
Researchers at the University of Utah set out to examine the relationship between perceived and actual multitasking ability, particularly as it relates to texting and phone use while driving. The study involved 310 university students who were asked to perform tasks requiring them to memorise sequences of letters while solving arithmetic problems at the same time. This dual-task approach was intended to simulate the mental demands of multitasking, similar to those faced when driving and using a mobile phone.
Study Overview and Methodology
In addition to the practical tests, participants completed self-assessments of their multitasking skills. They also reported how often they used their mobile phones while driving and estimated the percentage of time they spent on the phone behind the wheel. This combination of objective testing and subjective reporting allowed the researchers to compare actual ability with self-perception.
Self-Perception Versus Actual Ability
| Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Participants who rated themselves as above-average multitaskers | 70% |
| Participants who actually performed above average | 25% |
The results revealed a significant gap between how participants viewed their own abilities and how they actually performed. While 70 percent of those surveyed believed they were above-average multitaskers, only 25 percent demonstrated above-average performance in the objective tests. This overconfidence was especially pronounced among those who reported frequent phone use while driving.
Personality Traits Linked to Distracted Driving
- Frequent phone users while driving performed worst in multitasking tests
- These individuals were more likely to be impulsive and sensation-seeking
- They also showed higher levels of overconfidence in their abilities
The study identified a pattern among those most likely to use their phones while driving: they tended to have personality traits such as impulsiveness and sensation-seeking. These drivers not only overestimated their multitasking skills but also reported higher rates of phone use behind the wheel. This combination of overconfidence and risk-taking behaviour is particularly concerning from a road safety perspective.
Impulsiveness and sensation-seeking have been linked in other research to a greater likelihood of engaging in risky activities. In the context of driving, these traits may lead individuals to ignore warnings about distracted driving or to believe that they are less likely than others to be affected by its dangers.
Implications for Road Safety Campaigns
The findings challenge the belief that some drivers can safely manage multiple tasks at once, such as texting and navigating traffic. The evidence suggests that those most likely to use phones while driving are also the least equipped to handle the cognitive demands. This has important implications for road safety campaigns and policy, as it undermines the argument that individual skill can compensate for distraction.
- General warnings about the risks of texting and driving may not be effective for overconfident drivers
- Targeted interventions addressing impulsiveness and sensation-seeking may be more successful in changing risky habits
The authors of the study suggest that efforts to reduce distracted driving should take into account the tendency for overconfidence among frequent phone users. Tailoring interventions to address personality traits such as impulsiveness may be more effective than relying on broad warnings alone.
Wider Context and Future Directions
This research adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that most drivers' perceptions of their multitasking skills do not match reality. As mobile phone use continues to rise and in-car technologies become more complex, understanding the psychological factors behind distracted driving is increasingly important. Road safety initiatives may need to evolve, focusing not just on the dangers of distraction but also on the psychological traits that make some drivers more likely to take risks.
For further context on how attitudes towards phones and cars are shifting, see US millennials put phones ahead of cars, studies find.
